Will fight to end states’ right to suspend officers, says IAS body

The battle is won, but the war is far from over. Former Gautam Buddh Nagar SDM Durga Shakti Nagpal’s suspension might have been revoked, but the bigger issue — state governments’ powers to suspend IAS officers in an arbitrary manner is yet to be settled.

The central IAS association, which supported Nagpal to the hilt, intends to push forward with the matter. The association has already written to the Centre’s department of personnel and training.

“We will continue to press for the demand for withdrawal of state government’s power to suspend all-India services officers,” said Sanjay Bhusreddy, secretary of Indian Civil and Administrative Service Association on telephone from New Delhi.

“It is a case of excessive delegation. The state government cannot give major punishment. So, the powers to suspend have to remain with the Government of India,” he added.

The officers are also divided on the Uttar Pradesh government’s reasons for revoking Nagpal’s suspension. While some feel that it is nothing but an effort to put a lid on the controversy, others say the state was left with no other option.

“Nagpal conducted herself in a dignified manner throughout the controversy,” said another officer.

“The state had suspended her in an arbitrary manner. Her suspension has also been withdrawn in a similar fashion, as no decision on her issue was taken till she went to meet chief minister Akhilesh Yadav.”